Vital Viewing on the Myth of Canadian Tolerance: The Skin We’re In

April 11, 2017

SKIN WE’RE IN

Taking a look behind journalist Desmond Cole’s award-winning story about police carding, THE SKIN WE’RE IN is a vital documentary asking all Canadians how we live – and how we live with ourselves – in a culture of systemic racism.

The documentary, directed by National Canadian Film Day 150 (NCFD 150) board director Charles Officer (NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, MIGHTY JEROME), follows Cole as he travels from Toronto; to Ferguson, Missouri; and back to his childhood home of Red Deer, Alberta while researching his award-winning report on police carding for Toronto Life, The Skin I’m In. Produced by the CBC, we see Cole interview people affected by racism, and his own reactions to its impact.

Between interviews, the question of whether Cole as an investigative journalist is now transforming into an activist is left to the viewer, while Officer focuses his lens on Cole taking moments in quiet, turbulent thought. The footage of activists in the 1960’s intercut with the words of the today’s change-makers underlines the continuing struggle for POC that has always existed in Canada. Canada’s legendary cultural mosaic is exposed as a myth, and in following Cole, Officer brings it back to what ultimately matters: how we treat each other as human beings, as families, as fellow citizens.

Toronto’s Regent Park Film Festival runs in November, and is currently in its 15th year. NCFD 150 is thrilled to partner with the Regent Park Film Festival to present a screening of THE SKIN WE’RE IN featuring a Q&A moderated by Lu Asfaha and special guests journalist Desmond Cole and director Charles Officer for NCFD 150! (Note: this screening has sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.)